The New York Coffee Festival 2016

Sunday, September 18, 2016

I walked into the 69th Regiment Armory/heaven to a La Marzocco sign in lights. My nose was immediately entranced by the aroma of coffee everywhere. Because that’s what it was. Coffee (and some tea) EVERYWHERE. Yesterday, I had the splendid opportunity of attending The New York Coffee Festival. I could not have been more content being in the company of two of my favorite friends (Maddy and Olivia—featured above) and the most espresso machines I’ve ever seen in one place.

Initial Reactions: Oh my god it smells like people are smoking coffee in here, but I’m okay with it. This is kind of overwhelming, but I see Califia Farms’ booth and am instantly more relaxed. Oh that cold brew did taste a little different than the last. Where is Andytown?

Thoughts: I had the chance to talk and pick the brains of wonderful baristas as well as learn about upcoming trends in the coffee industry and contemplate the direction the industry is heading in. Think: more non-dairy alternatives (oat milk!), temperature profiling, more coffee on tap (nitrogen brews), and cascara (made from coffee cherries).

Final Deliberations: I was very in my element at the New York Coffee Festival. I was quite literally double fisting espresso! The coffee industry is so multi-dimensional and it was so cool to see it all in action—all happening under the same roof. I will most DEFINITELY be back. Thank you for the at least 23 tastings of coffee/espresso and the jittery coffee-drunk feeling I had post-festival (Maddy and Olivia can concur). It was so worth it!

Hope you enjoyed this coffee-spiration post. I swear my blog isn’t transitioning into some weird coffee super fan account. To prove Briana Augustina is still partially fashion-oriented, here’s what I wore: my favorite City Folklore bomber jacket over this great pastel Zara romper. I’m getting over this New York summer thing so I pulled my black chelsea boots out of hiding that paired well with my black leather Coach bag.